PlayStation CEO says Microsoft offered to keep Call of Duty on Sony’s console for three years after current Activision deal
PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan has called Microsoft’s offer to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for three years “inadequate on many levels”. As Microsoft is buying Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard, they will control what platforms the franchise can go to. However, previously the company has stated their intent to keep the series on PlayStation for “at least several more years”.
Now, according to an article from GamesIndustry.biz, the precise grace period Microsoft is offering is three years. This will be beyond Sony’s current deal with Activision. The deal covers the next 3 Call of Duty titles, including Modern Warfare 2. Making a statement on this offer, Ryan stated “after almost 20 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation, their proposal was inadequate on many levels and failed to take account of the impact on our gamers”.
Ryan prefaced this by commenting on the need to make a public statement. “I hadn’t intended to comment on what I understood to be a private business discussion,” Ryan said. “But I feel the need to set the record straight because Phil Spencer brought this into the public forum”.
Spencer’s Statement
Ryan is referring to a statement from Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox chief Phil Spencer to The Verge. Spencer stated “In January, we provided a signed agreement to Sony to guarantee Call of Duty on PlayStation, with feature and content parity, for at least several more years beyond the current Sony contract”. He then goes on to call it “an offer that goes well beyond typical gaming industry agreements”.
While a reasonable enough offer, there’s no doubt that PlayStation would want to keep a money-making giant like Call of Duty around for as long as possible. With the ongoing success of Warzone and projects on the horizon like a 2024 release that may cover the Iraq war. It’ll be interesting to see how PlayStation and Call of Duty’s relationship will develop once Microsoft fully own Activision.
Do you agree that the three year offer is inadequate? Or do you think that it’s a good deal? Either way, let us know your thoughts down in the comments below! You can also hop over to our Discord to chat with us about all things gaming and entertainment!
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